Several schools have been forced to close, and students and staff on the Whiteknights campus at the University of Reading have been sent home due to the lack of water.

The University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tony Downes issued the following statement to staff and students: "We have considered our options carefully. There are only limited tank supplies in most of the University's buildings. Without water for sanitation or drinking, a decision has been taken to close Whiteknights campus with immediate effect.

"London Road and Greenlands campuses have water and remain open."

"The limited number of students still resident in halls are being asked to return to halls, where they will receive further information, and to conserve water. We will update staff and students as soon as we have more information from Thames Water."

A spokesperson for Thames Water, Sarah Sharpe said: "We’re really sorry to our customers in Reading who are without water.

"The problem is with a pump that pushes water through our network and engineers are on site now investigating what has happened.

"We’ve managed to transfer some water across from other parts of Berkshire to get 6,000 properties back on water and we’re working hard on restoring supplies to the remaining 20,000."

Have YOU been left without water today? Email gemma.davidson@trinitymirror.com or call (0118) 918 3054.